Context  

Within the Operations Department of MSF Belgium (Operational Centre Brussels - OCB), our Emergency Pool (E-pool) has as primary function to intervene directly and quickly with relevant medical activities in crisis situations such as conflicts, epidemics and natural disasters while guaranteeing the quality of interventions. It is also tasked with the monitoring and identification of crises that may arise.  

The E-Pool consists of Emergency Coordinators and specialists based in Brussels as well as an Emergency Pool Mobile Team composed by 25 to 30 emergency responders (E-Pool Mobiles) coordinating emergencies and implementing activities in the countries of MSF intervention. 

The eMobiles travel at short notice to any context where the E-Pool is leading interventions, and they undertake successive several short-term assignments between 6 weeks to 3 months though exceptionally, postings may extend beyond 3 months. In between assignments, they focus on briefings, debriefings, report writing, trainings or work on specific transversal topics and tools. 

As Specialised Mental Health Activity Manager, you will provide mental healthcare and psychosocial support (MHPSS) in emergency contexts like conflicts, disease outbreaks, and disasters. OCB integrates these interventions into emergency medical strategies, addressing the increased prevalence of mental disorders and decreased MHPSS services during emergencies. You will conduct rapid assessments to identify needs, resources, gaps, and culturally appropriate ways to manage emotional distress, leading to a proposed mental health strategy. 

You will develop and implement the mental health component in MSF OCB’s E-pool supported projects, ensuring adherence to MSF-OCB standards and guidelines. You will support medical teams and country coordinators, especially in early emergency phases or complex settings where additional support is needed. Occasionally, you may temporarily cover positions like Mission Specialized Activity Manager (MSAM) or Mental Health Activity Manager (MHAM). 

You will report to the Medical Officer of the Emergency Pool and work with the OCB Mental Health Referents, collaborating with project managers, coordinators, and mental health supervisors. While on mission, you will maintain communication with the E-Pool in Brussels, other E-pool projects, and Mental Health Referents. Visit planning and objectives will be coordinated with the Medical Officer of the Emergency Pool, Mental Health Referents, and country operations. 

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES 

Define, support and monitor implementation of MHPSS activities in emergency contexts:  

• Conduct MHPSS assessments and propose MHPSS strategies based on the needs and assessment results.   

• Ensure the implementation of MHPSS strategies and activities in accordance with MSF MHPSS guidelines as well as the identified needs and objectives of the project. 

• Launch, carry out and coordinate MHPSS interventions ensuring they are based on best available evidence-based practices. 

• Give technical support to field teams for the setup, analysis and interpretation of mental health data. 

• Develop quality care within programs through designing, implementing and improving the tools used for monitoring and evaluation, in collaboration with MH Referents. 

• Ensure the sustainability and quality of services in the practical implementation of MHPSS activities.  

• Support field teams in finding and using the appropriate essential documents, evidence-based, tools and material. 

• Identify needs for tools and documentation and participate in updating and adapting the material and documentation of MHPSS. 

Support capacity building and development of the MHPSS human resources in the field:  

• Evaluate knowledge gaps and needs for improvement of capacities/abilities of field MHPSS staff and define training needs. 

• Propose activities for development of MHPSS staff and other staff in the field. 

• Contribute to the design of MH trainings, as well as strategies for continuous training and sustainability of the acquired knowledge/capacities. 

• Strengthen the knowledge and skills of the MHAM/MH supervisor in clinical supervision, team management and teamwork. 

• Support capacity building of new or existing team members, Managers, PMRs, MedCos. 

• Reinforce technical support to make the person-centred and multidisciplinary approach to patient care effective.  

Contribute to improving monitoring and evaluation of MHPSS activities and outcomes:  

• Contribute to improve monitoring of field activities, MH data collection and analysis at project level. 

• Conduct evaluation of MHPSS activities (access of target population, quality, results, outcome, acceptance by community and staff…), and their contribution in the achievement of the overall project objectives. 

• Participate of the capitalization of the MH activities and MHPSS strategies in emergency projects. 

Ensure good coordination and continuation of care in the projects: 

• Do briefings and debriefings of Managers, Coordinators, MHAMs, MH Supervisors and all relevant staff members  

• Report and share in the field with PMRs, Emergency Medical Coordinators and the E-Pool based in Brussels. 

• Provide timely reports or SITREPs after field visits 

• Give feedback and share with MH and other relevant Medical Department Referents and write intervention proposals. 

• Ensure follow up of recommendations that were given by the Referents. 

Collaboration and Teamwork:  

• Participate and contribute to meetings organized by MH Referents, meetings with MH regional implementers and other key colleagues in the MHPSS team. 

• Contribute to review and update MHPSS Emergency documents, tools and guidance. 

• Update OCB MHPSS guidance on emergency assessment and strategy and create an emergency Toolkit. 

• Reinforce the collaboration of MH team with Health promotion team 

• Identify, inform and share with MH Referents the proposed strategies and activities as well as complex situations and/or MH issues that require multidisciplinary analysis and concrete proposals. 

REQUIREMENTS 

Education and Experience 

• Master’s degree in clinical psychology or qualified psychiatrist is mandatory
• 2 years international experience in MSF projects, of which minimum 12 months of experience as Mental health activity manager with MSF is essential 

• Experience in at least 2 – 3 international emergency interventions in different contexts is mandatory  

• Experience in a management role is required 

• Experience in capacity building (training, supervising, coaching) is an asset  

Competencies 

• Strategic vision and ability to communicate and translate this vision into a MHPSS strategy document that is integrated in the overall project strategy  

• Leadership (able to set priorities, make choices and assume decisions)  

• People management & teamwork  

• Planning and organization 

• Analytical skills 

• Initiative and creativity skills 

• Ability to identify needs, design training sessions and train groups. 

• Cross-cultural Awareness 

• Resistance to stress, ability to adapt to different high insecure / volatile contexts  

• Flexibility – Autonomy 

Languages 

• Proficiency in English, both written and spoken is mandatory  

• Good knowledge of French is a strong asset 

• Good command of MSF operational languages is an asset 

Other 

• Availability to travel to any country on short notice  

CONDITIONS 

• Expected starting date: As soon as possible 

• Location: Mainly carried out in the countries of intervention (all contexts, including High Insecurity Contexts) - Based in the country of residence in between assignments.  

• Mobility: in MSF projects when needed  

• Contract type: Fixed term contract – Full-time 

• Contract duration: 12 months (extendable)  

• Salary as per MSF international salary grid 

• The contractual terms, conditions and salary will be established according to the official residence of the selected candidate and in respect of MSF standard function and salary grids 

• Medical insurance 100% covered as per international package; 45 paid leaves; Accomplishment bonus of 1.5-month salary upon completion of 12-month contract 

• No family position 

• Adhere to the MSF principles and to our managerial values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust and Empowerment 

• Adhere to the MSF Behavioural Commitments 

 Deadline for applications:  2nd of April 2025